Random Ramblings by Jenn…

Hello everyone and happy Friday! I’ve been getting a ton of emails and Facebook messages from you all, so I figured I would do my best to answer as many questions as I could in one post. So here it goes!

For starters, the island is GREEN! It’s amazing what leaves and flowers can do to boost morale. The island is green and somewhat lush in many places, and it looks simply beautiful. I’ve even seen a few flamboyant trees in full bloom around the island … gorgeous! Green leaves do not mean that everything is fine, but it’s a sign that we’re moving in the right direction.

Power … we have power in Cruz Bay! Guinea Grove and the Westin were lit up on the south shore Thursday and Pastory and Grunwald received power on Centerline Road. WAPA and the BBC linemen from Joplin, Missouri are all working so hard, and they deserve much praise. They’re doing amazing work, as are the crews that are clearing the roads around the island. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Speaking of roads, they’re mostly clear. There were some issues with the road that goes between the smoothie stand and the Maho/Francis/Annaberg area, but that was cleared as of yesterday. Basically when we get good rains, landslides are occurring which then block the roads. But again, people are working very hard to fix this when it happens.

We actually took a GoPro of that road the other day and will share it with all of you as soon as we can. (We took the video before the landslide occurred.) We also took videos of Oppenheimer, Peace Hill, the Trunk Bay overlook, Cruz Bay to Fish Bay, Fish Bay to way out in Fish Bay, Maho to Cruz Bay, and out at Annaberg. (I’m actually writing this from a plane because I’m heading north to pick up my dog and bring him back home … yay! So I should be able to upload all of these within the next few days.)

Ok, so on to flights. Currently American and Delta have only one flight coming and going each day – via Miami and Atlanta. Spirit has a few flights a week. United has cancelled all flights through April 8, 2018. We contacted them and here’s what they said:

“United has made these adjustments due to the lengthy hurricane recovery efforts anticipated in some of the airports we serve in the Caribbean.”

We’re not sure when the other airlines will add additional flights as of yet. We will let you know when we find out. In the meantime, you can fly into Puerto Rico or St. Croix and take either Cape Air or Seaborne to St. Thomas too.

Communications. Communication is still tough. It’s definitely better in Cruz Bay than the rest of the island. In Coral Bay, you may pick up a BVI signal or you may have zero signal. You never really know, although you are more likely to have no signal out there unfortunately. On the Cruz Bay side, we have access to more reliable wifi that works better some days than others, although I am simply thankful to have it at all. AT&T works decently in the Cruz Bay area as well. Neither signal is strong enough to upload large files, photos or videos, so that is a struggle for many. For example, I uploaded a nine-minute video to YouTube last week. It would have taken me about ten minutes pre-Irma. It took 12 hours last week – seriously.

For those of you trying to contact people on the island and are having trouble, please know that we can have signal one minute and no service the next. If it’s super cloudy or raining, you’re likely going to have no service. People on island are working diligently to fix this, and we thank them for that. So if you have contacted someone on island and have yet to hear back, chances are that they are having communications issues still.

Tourism. When can you all return? Honestly, I do not have a date. I have asked several people and everyone’s answers vary. So at this time, I am simply going to say not yet, but hopefully soon. Because my goodness, I want you all back! I’d personally love to greet each and every one of you at the dock with a big hug if I can!!

Volunteering. I get a lot of questions on this too. And again, I do not have an answer other than people are working on it. So when they have the answers, I will relay that information to all of you.

Oh, the beaches! (Sorry, I warned you in the headline that I would be rambling – haha.) Well thanks to Love City Strong, they have been able to test the island’s beaches and 9 of 14 they tested were deemed safe. Here are some of the details that they posted on their Facebook page…

Love City Strong has partnered with Surfrider Foundation to independently test beach water quality on St. John. Over a seven-day period, 14 of the island’s beaches were tested and the results are in.

Our tests found unsafe levels of E. Coli at a number of St. John beaches. High risk and potentially dangerous levels of E. Coli were present at Maho Bay Beach (at the pavilion side), Cruz Bay and Great Cruz Bay. Jumbie Beach and Maho Bay Beach (at the parking lot side) presented a medium risk level.

It’s important to note that although results at a certain date may be “low risk,” water quality is dynamic and can fluctuate, especially after rains. There are also other hazards at St. John beaches, including debris from boats, buildings and trees.

As visitors look to return to island, they must be aware that the state of St. John beaches is still in flux. This is but one of the numerous challenges the island faces on the path to recovery following hurricanes Irma and Maria.

PLEASE NOTE: These are not official determinations on whether water is safe or if beaches are open. The National Park Service and DPNR will make official statements regarding water safety.

Hi Jenn! I love your posts and I love STJ. We will be back! Wondering if anyone has been able to make it back to the petroglyph or Waterlemon??? I’ve not heard anything about either or those locations.

I just saw a few photos of the waterfall by the petroglyphs… I would never have recognized it with ALL THAT WATER! It was gushing over the falls. Spectacular!
And great job, Jenn. I was curious about several things you covered, although I’ve lived in Cruz Bay for many years. As you say, communication is still tough. And one other challenge can be the emotional disconnect between recovery life and regular life. Family in the States may not be sensitive to just how stressed their island person is. Sometimes, when we don’t know what to say or how to say the truly awful thing we faced today, we just don’t call or write. Please try to understand, and realize that however much we’d love to “move on” it’s going to be a long time! Life is funny and fun, too! And so multi-layered it’s just difficult to explain! Thanks for “listening”. Soapbox dismounted!

Thank you for all this valuable information. We have Jeep reservations with Courtesy for Thanksgiving week and New Years week. I have sent several emails. We are now within the 30 day cancellation period with the first trip.
Thanks again for all you do.

Do you mean to say you were on vacation (with just a backpack) when your home on St John was destroyed? That would be so very sad and difficult! I hope that’s not what you mean! But I’ve become very sensitive to veiled reports of painful losses. Wishing you the best in any case. Be strong.
(I watched hundreds of residents of all races waiting patiently for hours to be evacuated by boat to Puerto Rico. Each had one suitcase, and often a cherished pet. All they could take with them. And to this day there is no way to ship personal belongings off island (but maybe there is? If the Post Office has power, and they should, perhaps they will now take boxes! That would be a huge help to all those moving away now. Without many jobs, what choice to people have if they need an income?)

Right now Caneel is closed to the public. There is a guard at the front gate. My guess is that they will not allow anyone on property who is not working there or staying there (FEMA and other relief workers are currently staying there in the undamaged units).

Not quite, “Random Ramblings”, from my angle. You are a fountain of knowledge
for us stateside itching to get back to STJ. We want to plan our trip for 2018, but
have been overly cautious. We haven’t missed a year in the last 14, and don’t plan
on starting now.

Jenn,
Thanks again for your tireless efforts in keeping us STJ lovers informed about the progress of the island.
You are wonderful.
I am hoping for trip #19 next year, and already trying to get my head and heart ready for the changes due to the destruction of the storms.
Very grateful for all the hard work everyone is doing on our beloved rock.
Smiles-
MJ

Hi Jenn, thanks so much for keeping us updated on the island we love so much! I pray for all on the island and the island itself. I’m sure your fur baby will be so happy to see you and to be coming home with you! Safe travels

Jennifer , thanks for all your great Info.
We return in mid – January till mid-March. So anxious to get back . What do you think the chances are our Beaches will be open ?
We are keeping our fingers and anything else we can possibly cross.
Thoughts & Prayers coming your way!!!!
❤️ Connie & Bill (Avalon, NJ)

I think that several of the beaches should be fine by then. Whether the National Park will “reopen” the park by then is anyone’s guess. But they are working very hard.

Hawksnest looks good now. Trunk still needs some clearing. Maho likely will not be ok but then, but you never know. The beach at Cinnamon is ok right now, but Cinnamon itself is a mess. Francis is also ok now, but it’s a long drive to get out there. The path to Salt Pond is clear too, although I have not gone down there yet.

Thanks for all the updates. Is it possible to put out a list of all the businesses where we can do online shopping. I know some have facilities stateside,so you are able to receive products right away that support their STJ business and relief efforts,like Java mon and St.John organics but others like St.John Spice,you can order but have to wait a bit because they are on island and are dealing with postal issues. Holiday shopping season is nearing and giving support to those businesses would be great

I just received notification of a shipment coming from St. John Spice. I placed the order a couple weeks after Irma with the understanding they would ship when they could. I just wanted to help by supporting a local business.

Thank you so much for your updates! Your posts and videos are such a blessing for us stateside who are thinking of all of you in St John daily. Hoping you guys are ready for visitors again in time for our annual august trip. Please keep sending. Would love to see more Maho pictures and to know if the turtles are still around. See you soon! Enjoy your reunion with your fur baby

What kind of supplies can the schools use? Would like to send somethings, just not sure what they can use/need?
Thank you for all the updates, so good to hear positive progress! Can’ Wait to get back to St. John’s!

The Jumbie’s have again protected and helped Easter Rock to stand tall in the most trying of times. Outstanding Job !!! Go Jumbies !!! Tell the Jumbies we will be back again 02/26/2018 late afternoon.
Jenn you and everyone on St John are doing a great job bringing St John back. No whining here, just standing up dust your self off and doing it.

Jenn,
Thanks so much for all the valuable information you provide. A group of us, who are booked in for our annual visit in late February, check your blog every day and then email each other about it. Even in northern New England there is so much interest and concern about how St. John and their wonderful people are doing. As an example, there is a fundraiser for St. John in a speakeasy, called Latchkey in Portsmouth New Hampshire this Sunday night. We all plan to attend and hope it will be mobbed.
Great job with the blog.

Jenn,
Truly appreciate your updates! We attended a fundraiser in Kennebunkport Maine last month and were amazed at the big turnout and hopefully $$$$ raised.
We will return to the most beautiful island in the world as soon as is possible…and to the beautiful residents that make it special.
Thank you again!
Deb

Thanks again Jen for the great updates- always appreciated! I plan to be there in late February and cannot WAIT. I know it will be different, but I plan for this trip to be a helping trip- in any way I can and I will love seeing the island, however she looks. Definitely shopping online for Christmas too. Thanks for keeping us updated!

Our parents, John R. and Dib Woodside opened Cinnamon Bay Campground and ran it for many years. Later, they managed Estate Zootenvaal. They lived at Maho.They loved St. John so very much and John R. died there. My sister, Marti, and I are so impressed and proud of the way islanders have rebounded with so much bravery and determination throughout this terrible time. We send our love and hopes for a better tomorrow for all of you. Fondly, Judy and Marti.

Thanks Jenn! Would you be able to get more info about Cinnamon Bay’s current state of rebuilding and what their intentions are re: the cottages? They were scheduled to take them down and upgrade them at the end of this peak season, so wondering if they are not going to rebuild those for the current tourist season. I’ve requested cancellation and refund, but haven’t heard anything. Breaks my heart what I’ve seen about Cinnamon so far Peace and Prayers to all of you on-island!! See you in Feb 2018!!